Wireless communications architecture

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for wireless communications. A method includes providing a wireless communications system having narrow cast bi-directional internet channel capability and defining a substantially nonconflicting regional overlay; then transmitting a downstream signal from a downstream transmitter to a bi-directional transceiver; and transmitting an upstream signal from the bi-directional transceiver to an upstream receiver through the substantially nonconflicting regional overlay. The systems and methods provide advantages because additional capacity can be provided within a saturated region without incurring interference and additional capacity can be provided only in the direction in which it is needed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of wirelesscommunications. More particularly, the invention relates to a wirelesscommunications architecture that provides narrow cast bidirectionalchannels.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art Prior art wirelesscommunications systems, for instance cellular telephone systems, areknown to those skilled in the art. For example, a conventional cellulartelephone system typically uses a low power UHF geographicallydistributed architecture of overlapping cells.

[0004] A problem with this technology has been that some geographicregions (e.g., cities) have a high demand for service, but there islimit to the amount of bandwidth that can be installed within a givenregion. The maximum installable bandwidth is limited by at least twoconstraints. First, there are a limited number of available frequencypairs (channels) due to government regulations. Second, cells with thesame, or similar, frequency pairs must be spaced apart to avoidinterference. Once a given region is saturated, no additional capacitycan be provided without incurring interference. Therefore, what isrequired is solution that permits a wireless communications operator toprovide additional capacity in a saturate region without incurringinterference.

[0005] Another problem with this technology has been that as the numberand popularity of data services increases, the demand for forwardbandwidth is growing much faster than the demand for reverse bandwidth.Adding a cell within a region to satisfy the need for forward bandwidthalso adds reverse bandwidth, which may not be needed. Therefore, what isalso required is a solution that permits a wireless communicationsoperator to add capacity only in the direction (i.e., forward orreverse) in which it is needed.

[0006] Heretofore, the requirements of providing additional capacitywithin a saturated region without incurring interference, and addingcapacity only in the direction in which it is needed referred to abovehave not been fully met. What is needed is a solution thatsimultaneously addresses both of these requirements. The invention isdirected to meeting these requirements, among others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A goal of the invention is to simultaneously satisfy theabove-discussed requirements of providing additional capacity within asaturated region without incurring interference, and adding capacityonly in the direction in which it is needed which, in the case of theprior art, are not satisfied.

[0008] One embodiment of the invention is based on a method, comprising:providing a wireless communications system having narrow castbi-directional internet channel capability and defining a substantiallynonconflicting regional overlay; then transmitting a downstream signalfrom a downstream transmitter to a bi-directional transceiver; andtransmitting an upstream signal from said bidirectional transceiver toan upstream receiver through said substantially nonconflicting regionaloverlay. Another embodiment of the invention is based on a wirelesscommunications system, comprising: a plurality of downstreamtransmitters; a plurality of bi-directional transceivers coupled to saidplurality of downstream transmitters; and at least one upstream receivercoupled to said plurality of bi-directional transceivers, wherein saidwireless communications system i) has narrow cast bi-directionalinternet channel capability and ii) defines a substantiallynonconflicting regional overlay. Another embodiment of the invention isbased on a kit to provide a wireless communications system, comprising:a plurality of downstream transmitters; and a plurality of bidirectionaltransceivers coupled to said plurality of downstream transmitters,wherein said wireless communications system i) has narrow castbi-directional internet channel capability and ii) defines asubstantially nonconflicting regional overlay.

[0009] These, and other goals and embodiments of the invention will bebetter appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction withthe following description and the accompanying drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the following description, while indicatingpreferred embodiments of the invention and numerous specific detailsthereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Manychanges and modifications may be made within the scope of the inventionwithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includesall such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A clear conception of the advantages and features constitutingthe invention, and of the components and operation of model systemsprovided with the invention, will become more readily apparent byreferring to the exemplary, and therefore nonlimiting, embodimentsillustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of thisspecification. It should be noted that the features illustrated in thedrawing are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a wireless communicationsarchitecture having a nonconflicting regional overlay, representing anembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The invention and the various features and advantageous detailsthereof are explained more fully with reference to the nonlimitingembodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing anddetailed in the following description of preferred embodiments.Descriptions of well known components and processing techniques areomitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail.

[0013] The context of the invention includes wireless communications.The context of the invention also includes voice and datacommunications. For instance, the context of the invention could includeall (or some) of the hardware and/or software involved in deploying awireless personal data assistant that provides an enduser with internetaccess.

[0014] The invention includes the use of a relatively large number ofrelatively low power transmitters for downstream communication, forexample, content from an internet service provider to an individual in abuilding, a car, or outside. For instance, the low power transmitterscan be mounted on small towers and uniformly distributed across ageographic region (e.g., a city) to provide downstream service to thatarea. Alternatively, the low power downstream transmitters could bemobile. While not being limited to any particular embodiment, thedownstream link could be an approximately 1 watt UHF link. As the demandfor downstream communications grows within that region, additional lowpower transmitters can be added in the areas (e.g., neighborhoods) whereadditional bandwidth is needed.

[0015] The invention also includes the use of a relatively smallernumber of relatively wide area receivers for upstream communication, forexample, requests from individuals to the internet service provider fornew content. Again, the individuals can be in buildings, in cars, oroutside. For instance, the wide area receivers can be mounted on largetowers and uniformly distributed across the geographic region to provideupstream service to that region. Alternatively, the upstream wide areareceivers could be mobile. While not being limited to any particularembodiment, the upstream link could be an approximately 5 watt VHF link.The larger radius served by the receivers results in less upstreambandwidth compared to the downstream bandwidth provided by the low powertransmitters. However, this is not a disadvantage where most individualsdownload much more data than they upload. Of course, the individualswill need to be provided with transceivers that include a relativelypowerful transmitter to ensure that the uploading data reaches one ofthe wide area receivers. The zones of coverage provided by the wide areareceivers can be termed a nonconflicting regional overlay.

[0016] The invention is counter intuitive. Typically, systems engineersdesign consumer electronic devices to be as inexpensive as possible. Incontrast, the invention recognizes and places a premium on the value ofdownstream bandwidth. In the context of data delivery, the demand forbandwidth is not symmetric. To provide that greatest amount ofdownstream bandwidth to the largest number of users across a geographicdomain, the relatively large number of bidirectional transceivers can beprovided with a more powerful transmitter than the relatively smallernumber of downstream transmitters. The tradeoff is less upstreambandwidth, but for most endusers, this is not an issue. Solid stateelectronics and lithium ion battery technology permits a suitablecompact transceiver to be manufactured for only slightly more than thecost of a cellular telephone. For instance, 5-6 watt handheld VHF/UHFtransceivers with a volume of approximately 200 cm³ and digital datacapability are currently readily commercially available.

[0017] The invention can be compatible with a multichannel multipointdistribution service (MMDS) standard. The invention can be compatiblewith the a local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) standard. Thearchitecture can be reversed where there is a greater need for upstreambandwidth compared to downstream bandwidth.

[0018] The invention can be implemented in conjunction with legacy plantequipment. This allows additional cellular capacity to be added toexisting systems, especially in the forward (downstream) direction.

[0019] The invention can also be included in a kit. The kit can includesome, or all, of the components that compose the invention. Morespecifically, the kit can include one or more upstream receivers, two ormore downstream transmitters, two or more bi-directional transceivers,and other components of the invention. The kit can also containinstructions for practicing the invention and additional resources forcarrying out the invention. Unless otherwise specified, theinstructions, hardware and/or software of the kit can be the same asthose used in the invention.

[0020] The invention can also utilize data processing methods thattransform signals from analog to digital (A/D) and/or from digital toanalog (D/A). The invention can also utilize data processing methodsthat transform signals from one multiple access standard to another. Theinvention can also utilize the wireless communications bandwidthprovided by the system to carry diagnostic information and/or controlcommands to actuate interconnected discrete hardware elements. As anexample of the former, state variable information representing one ormore aspects of the system can be the subject of a system query (e.g.,periodically reporting the load on a downstream transmitter to a centralcontrol computer). As an example of the latter, one or more componentsof the system can be reconfigured by a system command (e.g., sending acommand from a central control computer to a downstream transmitter toreduce output power).

[0021] The term approximately, as used herein, is defined as at leastclose to a given value (e.g., preferably within 10% of, more preferablywithin 1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of). The termsubstantially, as used herein, is defined as at least approaching agiven state (e.g., preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1%of, and most preferably within 0.1% of). The term coupled, as usedherein, is defined as at least capable of being connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically (e.g., capable ofbeing connected for the purpose of data transfer by radio waves). Theterm resources, as used herein, is defined as hardware and/or softwarefor achieving a result. The term program, as used herein, is defined astwo or more lines of code that can be executed by a computer.

EXAMPLE

[0022] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be furtherdescribed by the following, nonlimiting example which will serve toillustrate in some detail various features of significance. The exampleis intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which theinvention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in theart to practice the invention. Accordingly, the example should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communications system isdepicted. The system includes a plurality of downstream transmitters. Afirst downstream transmitter 110 covers a first downstream area 120. Asecond downstream transmitter 130 covers a second downstream area 140that partially overlaps the first downstream area 120. A thirddownstream transmitter 150 covers a third downstream area 160 thatpartially overlaps the first downstream area 120 and/or the seconddownstream area 140. An upstream receiver 170 covers an upstream area180 that includes the first downstream area 120, the second downstreamarea 140 and the third downstream area 160. The areas are notnecessarily circular because of propagation and geographic constraints.

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1, a service area is defined by thatportion of the upstream area 180 that includes at least one of thedownstream areas 120, 140, 160. A plurality of bi-directionaltransceivers 190 are located in the service area, or at least within thetransmit area 180, or outside the transmit area 180.

[0025] The wireless communications system has narrow cast bi-directionalinternet channel capability. The narrow cast aspect refers to forwarddirection that corresponds to the smaller downstream areas 120, 140,160. The wireless communications system defines a substantiallynonconflicting regional overlay. This aspect refers to the fact thatdata moving in the reverse direction (upstream) does not interfere withdata moving in the forward direction (downstream).

[0026] Expansion areas are shown in FIG. 1 with dashed lines. Anadditional downstream area 200 can be added that will expand the servicearea. A core downstream area 210 can be added to meet increased demandfor downstream bandwidth near the receiver 170. An outlying downstreamarea 220 lies partially outside the upstream area 180. An additionalupstream area 210 provides all of the outlying downstream area 220 withbidirectional capability and partially overlaps with upstream area 180.

Practical Applications of the Invention

[0027] A practical application of the invention that has value withinthe technological arts is cellular telephony. Further, the invention isuseful in conjunction with cellular phones (such as are used for thepurpose of voice communications), or in conjunction with personal dataassistants (such as are used for the purpose of internet browsing), orthe like. There are virtually innumerable uses for the invention, all ofwhich need not be detailed here.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] A wireless communication architecture, representing an embodimentof the invention, can be cost effective and advantageous for at leastthe following reasons. The invention can provide additional capacitywithin a saturated region without incurring interference. The inventioncan add capacity only in the direction in which it is needed which.

[0029] All the disclosed embodiments of the invention described hereincan be realized and practiced without undue experimentation. Althoughthe best mode of carrying out the invention contemplated by theinventors is disclosed above, practice of the invention is not limitedthereto. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

[0030] For example, the individual components need not be formed in thedisclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but couldbe provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually anyconfiguration. Further, the individual components need not be fabricatedfrom the disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually anysuitable materials. Further, although the downstream transmitterdescribed herein can be a physically separate module, it will bemanifest that the downstream transmitter may be integrated into theapparatus with which it is associated (e.g., power supply). Similarly,although the upstream receiver described herein can be a physicallyseparate module, the upstream receiver can be integrated into theapparatus with which it is associated (e.g., antenna tower).Furthermore, all the disclosed elements and features of each disclosedembodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosedelements and features of every other disclosed embodiment except wheresuch elements or features are mutually exclusive.

[0031] It will be manifest that various additions, modifications andrearrangements of the features of the invention may be made withoutdeviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept.It is intended that the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents cover all such additions,modifications, and rearrangements.

[0032] The appended claims are not to be interpreted as includingmeans-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitlyrecited in a given claim using the phrase “means for.” Expedientembodiments of the invention are differentiated by the appendedsubclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing a wirelesscommunications system having narrow cast bidirectional internet channelcapability and defining a substantially nonconflicting regional overlay;then transmitting a downstream signal from a downstream transmitter to abidirectional transceiver; and transmitting an upstream signal from saidbi-directional transceiver to an upstream receiver through saidsubstantially nonconflicting regional overlay.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said narrow cast bi-directional internet channel capability iscompatible with a multichannel multipoint distribution service standard.3. The method of claim 1, wherein said narrow cast bi-directionalinternet channel capability is compatible with a local multipointdistribution service standard.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising sending said downstream signal to said downstream transmitterthrough a multiple telephone line before transmitting said downstreamsignal from said downstream transmitter to said bi-directionaltransceiver.
 5. A wireless communications system for performing themethod of claim
 1. 6. A wireless communications system, comprising: aplurality of downstream transmitters; a plurality of bi-directionaltransceivers coupled to said plurality of downstream transmitters; andat least one upstream receiver coupled to said plurality ofbi-directional transceivers, wherein said wireless communications systemi) has narrow cast bidirectional internet channel capability and ii)defines a substantially nonconflicting regional overlay.
 7. Thecommunications system of claim 6, wherein said narrow cast bidirectionalinternet channel capability is compatible with a multichannel multipointdistribution service standard.
 8. The communications system of claim 6,wherein said narrow cast bidirectional internet channel capability iscompatible with a local multipoint distribution service standard.
 9. Thecommunications system of claim 6, further comprising a multipletelephone line coupled to said plurality of downstream transmitters. 10.A method for wireless communications which comprises utilizing thewireless communications system of claim
 6. 11. A kit to provide awireless communications system, comprising: a plurality of downstreamtransmitters; and a plurality of bi-directional transceivers coupled tosaid plurality of downstream transmitters, wherein said wirelesscommunications system i) has narrow cast bidirectional internet channelcapability and ii) defines a substantially nonconflicting regionaloverlay.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein said narrow castbi-directional internet channel capability is compatible with amultichannel multipoint distribution service standard.
 13. The kit ofclaim 11, wherein said narrow cast bi-directional internet channelcapability is compatible with a local multipoint distribution servicestandard.
 14. The kit of claim 11, further comprising instructions. 15.The kit of claim 11, further comprising software including a program.